Seminary

“The formation of future priests… is considered by the Church to be one of the most demanding and important tasks for the future of the evangelization of humanity.” – Saint Pope John Paul II in Pastores Dabo Vobis

The best formation the Church offers!

The seminary is the place where a man is formed mind, body, and soul into the image of Jesus Christ. Diocesan Seminaries are not monasteries where men walk around in silence all day. Rather, they are places of joy, camaraderie, and deep learning! Striving the form the whole man, seminarians today learn and grow through academics, pastoral experiences, prayer, spiritual direction, community life, sports, and outings. Today’s seminarians experience the best formation the Church offers!

In order to become a Catholic priest, a man must fulfill three basic requirements:A college degree, two years of Philosophy study, and four years of Theology study. Some men enter seminary while still in college and so they attend College Seminary. Once they obtain a degree, they can transfer to Major Seminary.

What is daily life like for a typical seminarian?In a word: busy. Because the demands of priesthood are so great, formation of future priests is rigorous. In addition to master’s-level academics, seminarians pray together at least twice a day, go to daily Mass, meet with their spiritual directors, and go to pastoral assignments at local parishes. Plus there are special meetings, workshops, and homework.

Four Pillars of Priestly Formation

Being a priest is not a job: it is a taking on a new identity; it is becoming alter Christus, another Christ. To this end, the Church requires rigorous formation in four key areas:

Human Formation:learning how to form the future priests’ personality to be a bridge to Christ; how to be an effective public spokesperson for the Church.

Spiritual Formation:developing a deep and mature relationship with Christ through prayer and virtuous living.

Intellectual Formation: understanding the truths of the Faith and cultivating the skills to teach the Faith to others.

Pastoral Formation:learning how to be a “shepherd of souls,” helping parishioners through the joys and trials of life.

During their formation, seminarians learn to put Christ first in all things.

Three Levels of Seminary

College Seminary:Men who obtain a normal college degree, while at the same time undergoing the formation required to enter major seminary.

Pre-Theology:Men who already have a college degree, but who need to satisfy the requirements of two years of formation and study of philosophy before entering major seminary.

Major Seminary (Theology):Men who have attended either college seminary or pre-theology, who now begin the final four years of priestly formation.

Installation of Ministries

Seminarians progress through several formal steps on their way to priesthood, typically in the timeframe presented below (with some variations, depending on the seminary). Note that the first two ministries are also held by non-seminarian laity throughout the Church.

Ministry of Lector (First Theology):Proclaim the word of God in a liturgical assembly.

Ministry of Acolyte (Second Theology):Assist the deacon and priest during Mass.

Admission to Candidacy (Third Theology):The bishop formally calls a man to be ordained.

Ordination to Diaconate (Normally Summer after Third Theology): A man is ordained to proclaim the gospel at mass, preach, baptize, witness marriages, and assist the priest in bringing Jesus to people in need.

Ordination to Priesthood (Summer after Fourth Theology): A man is ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.